The Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes sees a field of fourteen go to post for the Group One contest at Newbury on Saturday afternoon.
Horses that have run in the previous season’s Prix du Moulin, QEII Stakes, St James Palace, Greenham Stakes and Prince Of Wales Stakes are certainly the ones to watch as they either win or place in this contest.
Here are some trends and statistics to bear in mind over the past ten years followed by a guide to all the runners.
Age:
- 8/10 winners were aged four, the other two were aged 5.
- That would be a negative against Stormy Atlantic, Mustashry and Lord Glitters chances.
Fillies & Mares:
- Only four females have won since 2004. Rhododendron was the only filly in the field last year and she showed the boys how it’s done by landing the spoils.
Form:
- Previous Course Form – 8/10 winners had at least one previous run at Newbury, 7/10 had at least one previous win at Newbury.
- Previous Distance Form – 10/10 winners had at least four previous runs over a mile, 7/10 winners had at least two wins over a mile, 10/10 winners had at least one win over a mile.
Trainer Form:
- Aidan O’Brien won this race in 2003 with Hawk Wing and last year with Rhododendron but in the years in between he has struggled to get one of his runners placed.
- The Hannon yard has won this race five times in total with their last win coming in 2015.
Starting Price:
- The starting price trends have been absolutely on the button over the last ten years. The winner has always been 9/1 or less and has come from the first four in the betting.
- The four horses that are likely to head the market on Saturday are: Le Brivido, Laurens, Lord Glitters and Beat The Bank.
- 7 of the last 10 winners were favourites/joint favourites.
Lockinge Stakes: Runners
Accidental Agent
The five-year-old, bred and owned by Eve’s mother, Gaie Johnson Houghton, finished sixth behind Rhododendron in this contest last year. The surprise 25/1 Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes winner will have to be back to his best to figure here. A recent wind-op may help his cause.
Beat The Bank
The Paco Boy gelding made an impressive start to the season when winning the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown Racecourse last month. It was the five-year-old’s fourth Group 2 success in his career and Balding is confident he can make his mark in a Group 1.
Le Brivido
A very useful sort as a three-year-old when trained by Andre Fabre in 2017 and took in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Looked in need of the run in the Gladness Stakes at Naas last month.
Lord Glitters
Lord Glitters ran a huge race when third in the Dubai Turf at Meydan and it is O’Meara’s intention to take in all the big mile races this season. His last win came in the Strensall Stakes at York, when just fending off Mustashry.
Mustashry
Very closely matched with Lord Glitters on their York meeting. Mustashry also ran a remarkable race under Jim Crowley at Doncaster last season when holding off both D'bai and Oh This Is Us which is top notch form.
Mythical Magic
Returns to Group 1 level on his first start in Britain since October 2017. He ran well in the Al Fahidi, then he went and won the Zabeel Mile and this will be his first run since those overseas exploits.
Ostlilo
Ostilio won four of his seven starts in 2018 including the Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp. Connections will be hoping he can put a lacklustre start to this season behind him here.
Romanised
Last year’s surprise Irish 2,000 Guineas winner would be an equally surprising winner of this after recently finishing just fifth in the Gladness Stakes at Naas. Admittedly he had to concede 5lbs that day but he does not look the most obvious choice in this.
Sharja Bridge
Beat The Bank and Sharja Bridge finished 1-2 at Sandown last time out and there is no obvious reason why the Roger Varian-trained horse shouldn’t put it up to the gelding again. Already a winner this season, Sharja Bridge will be match sharp for this.
Sir Dancealot
Enjoyed his most lucrative season to date last year, with Group 2 victories in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. Steps back up to a mile for the first time since contesting a Group 1at Doncaster in October 2016.
Without Parole
Since winning last year's St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot the four-year-old has found things difficult in this sort of company. He finished fifth in the Dubai Turf on his last run and will need the rub of green in a race of this nature.
Billesdon Brook
Richard Hannon's 2018 1000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook has never quite reached those heady heights again and will probably come up just short again here. She could however make the frame at a decent price in the horse racing odds.
I Can Fly
I Can Fly went down by just a necking to Roaring Lion in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last season but her form since has been very patchy. She could easily bounce back but she is definitely a risky betting proposition.
Laurens
A five-time Group 1 winner already, Laurens is a top-class thoroughbred and her four-year-old season promises to be another cracker. Her defeat in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes came after a long season but she will be trained up to peak fitness for her seasonal debut here.
Lockinge Stakes: Conclusion
A competitive looking field but it is very difficult get away from the popular Jon Dance-owned filly Laurens. Her form looks solid and she will take all the beating.
888sport suggests: Laurens
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
